American Nurseryman, April 2015

Photo courtesy of Johnny N Dell Bugwood org Name Cornus amomum Common name Silky dogwood Hardiness Zones 4 to 8 Mature height 8 to 12 Feet Mature spread 8 to 12 Feet Classification Shrub Landscape use Great as a mass planting along a pond or stream Can also be used as a foundation plant or a specimen Ornamental characteristics Beautiful flowers in the summer and awesome fall color Stems will give some color in the spring as well Enjoy watching pollinators and birds visit for nectar and food Shelby Singleton Sales Manager and Horticulturist Carolina Native Nursery Shelby@ CarolinaNativeNursery com Here at Carolina Native Nursery in Western North Carolina Cornus amomum silky dogwood is a plant that were used to seeing on stream restoration project lists and in rain gardens plans but its one that the home gardener doesnt use nearly enough Yes it can get a little big 8 to 12 feet at maturity and yes it can be a little unruly as it ages But we shouldnt forget how beautiful it is and how easy it is to keep it under control in the garden Its a wonderful shrub with fantastic color a great habit and form and it supports the insect bird and animal populations by acting as a food source If youve got some space to let it grow silky dogwood is a great native shrub that you wont even have to think twice about It does appreciate a wet spot in full to part sun but you can grow it almost anywhere as long as it gets a few hours of direct sun and a drink of water It performs well in wet or dry soil sunny or shady spots and you can cut it back whenever it starts to get a little larger than youd like It is a fast grower with little need for fertilization although a nice punch of phosphorus will help it bloom and berry more profusely a little sprinkle of organic nitrogen will keep the leaves green and happy Treating with a preventive fungicide or an oil will also help keep leaf spot and powdery mildew to a minimum And if you see some scale or webworms just apply an early spring dose of horticultural oil this will keep them at bay so you can ensure a pest free plant Silky dogwood takes its name from the silky hairs that grow on young twigs and on the undersides of its leaves Get out your hand lens and take a look Ahh the magical world of plants under a microscope thats a topic for another Field Note With its purplish red stems delicate white cymes of flowers blue white berries and fantastic maroon red foliage color in the fall it makes for a wonderful wildlife attractant and lovely specimen plant If you dont want to worry about pruning or watching it outgrow your space let it go in the woodland garden and enjoy the thickets that will form over the years Youll delight in visits from your local bird population wholl enjoy the berries In our area this includes woodpeckers sparrows cardinals robins and more Not only are you supporting the bird population but youre inviting Celastrina ladon spring azure to use it for both nectar feeding and as a host plant Caterpillars of the beautifully blue spring azure will usually feed only on the flowers to plump up before metamorphosis Besides the insects and birds deer rely on Cornus amomum to get through the winter months It serves as a major food source for them as well as for rabbits Plant it with the intention of being a safe haven for wildlife and they will come Keep your binoculars out because youre in for a treat when it comes to the number of pollinators and birds youll see savoring the plant The next time youre looking for a great plant for an upcoming project or garden plan give Cornus amomum a try Its a winner Cornus amomum Photo courtesy of Shelby Singleton Photo iStock 36 April 2015 American Nurseryman

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